SOUTHEND United made it two wins out of two with a well-deserved 2-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge this afternoon.
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SOUTHEND United made it two wins out of two with a well-deserved 2-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge this afternoon.
The Shrimpers – who beat Oldham Athletic on the opening day of the season – took the lead in the first half via a close range finish from Harry Cardwell.
And, roared on by a superb away following of close to 1,200 fans, Blues sealed their victory in stoppage time with Oli Coker scoring with a brilliant shot from 20 yards.
The visitors started the contest brightly with Jack Bridge seeing a low shot blocked before Nathan Ralph saw an effort deflected over the crossbar from just outside the penalty area.
But the Shrimpers stayed on top and made their pressure tell in the 18th minute, with Cardwell on target for the second match in succession.
A well worked move involving Gus Scott-Morriss and Wes Fonguck quickly resulted in Bridge delivering an inviting left cross a sliding Cardwell was able to convert from close range.
Cardwell was soon almost celebrating again as his close range header was saved by Dagenham goalkeeper Elliot Justham before the striker’s follow up effort was blocked in front of goal by Tom Eastman.
Eastman then also did well to block a 12 yard shot from Scott-Morriss following excellent play from Fonguck down the left hand side.
After the break, Shrimpers shot-stopper Collin Andeng Ndi did well to keep out a deflected volley from Sam Ling low down to his right hand side.
Moments later and, with 61 minutes on the clock, Blues made their first change of the afternoon with Oli Coker replacing Fonguck who appeared to be holding his right thigh on his way off the pitch.
Shortly after Coker’s introduction the midfielder sent a long range shot over the crossbar with his left foot before Noor Husin flashed a low effort across the face of goal after a shot from Callum Powell deflected into the path of the midfielder.
Powell made way for Dan Mooney in the 78th minute before a third change was made four minutes from time with Jason Demetriou replacing Bridge.
But the Shrimpers stayed strong and sealed their victory late on, thanks to another brilliant goal from Coker.
The midfielder – who netted the first senior goal of his Blues career last weekend – collected a square ball from Mooney before curling a brilliant 20 yard shot high into the top right hand corner of the net.
